POLICE are warning people to be careful after a conman targeted four Bournemouth homes in two hours.

The crook targeted elderly people, including a woman in her 90s, in Redhill and Northbourne on Monday afternoon.

He claimed he was doing urgent drain repairs on behalf of the council.

But police said the man was a distraction burglar, who wanted to trick his way inside and steal cash and property.

He first targeted a home in Howarth Road around 2.45pm, then tried another house on the road belonging to a man in his 80s soon afterwards.

Police received a report the same man targeted the home of a woman in her 90s at Hill View Road at 4.45pm. He then tried another property in Minstead Road at 5pm.

A police spokesman said: “The homes were targeted in quick succession but he did not as get into the properties.”

The conman was described as white, 5ft 8ins to 5ft 10ins tall, of slim build, aged from his mid-20s to early 30s, with short, possibly fair hair.

He is believed to have been wearing blue jeans, T-shirt and a waistcoat.

Inspector Mike Claxton, of North Bournemouth police, said: “Always ask for ID – a genuine caller will be happy to show it.

“Never agree to any work offered on the doorstep. If you feel scared or threatened then call the police on 999.

“We would rather attend a false alarm than not be called at all.”

Stuart Best, the council’s street services manager, said: “The council only maintains the road gullies so it would be a very rare occurrence for us to have to go on to domestic properties. “If any liaison is required it would usually be undertaken by a team supervisor, or one of our operational managers, all of whom carry ID.”

If you can have information about a distraction burglar call Dorset Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Always dial 999 in an emergency.